The Palmetto Project
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Savannah Riverkeeper has helped lead the charge against the Kinder Morgan's Palmetto Pipeline with the Push Back the Pipeline coalition. Dedicated supporters like you have helped achieve many victories in this long fight. As Kinder Morgan realizes the strength of their opponents, they've launched a deceptive media campaign seeking to sway public opinion. Now, we need your help to raise funds for a counter-attack. Help us reveal the TRUTH about the Palmetto Pipeline and ultimately defeat this threat. Please consider donating today.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE! We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. Your contribution to Savannah Riverkeeper is 100% tax-deductible. These restricted funds will be used solely for Push Back the Pipeline initiatives. |
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Our Stance
We oppose the Palmetto Project. Our coalition includes groups like Savannah Riverkeeper, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Satilla Riverkeeper, St. Johns Riverkeeper, and Center for a Sustainable Coast . Kinder Morgan would build 360 miles of new pipeline across land and rivers in SC and on GA's coast, a risk we just can't take. Building another pipeline is a risk to our drinking water, our wildlife and environment, our people and our property. In the event of an accident, the damage to the watersheds of 5 of Georgia's major rivers, coastal landscapes and swamps could be virtually irreparable. We need the public's involvement to speak up about our concerns surrounding this new pipeline. To move forward without such dialogue would be an affront to our property rights and the safety of our precious ecosystems. We are working with concerned citizens, landowners, organizations and other groups who oppose the Palmetto Project or would like to push for a safer route.
Let's #PushBackThePipeline together! Follow Push Back the Pipeline on Facebook for news and updates on public meetings and more, as well as how we are working with several organizations towards a positive outcome.
Let's #PushBackThePipeline together! Follow Push Back the Pipeline on Facebook for news and updates on public meetings and more, as well as how we are working with several organizations towards a positive outcome.
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Facts About the Palmetto Project
- The $1 billion pipeline, known as “The Palmetto Project,” is a project of Kinder Morgan, the largest energy infrastructure company in North America.
- A new 360-mile pipeline from Belton, SC to Jacksonville, FL will be constructed, with 218 miles crossing Georgia and 142 in South Carolina, with additional facilities including storage tanks, pump stations and delivery terminals.
- The line will move 167,000 barrels per day of refined petroleum products (diesel, gasoline and ethanol) through a batch system.
- The pipeline’s depth will be approximately 4 feet underground, with 16” and 20” diameter pipes.
- The project will utilize the existing Plantation Pipeline to transport from Baton Ro uge, LA, Collins and Pascagoula, MS to Belton, SC. The new construction would stretch from Belton through North Augusta, SC and Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL.
- The project’s timeline schedules permitting to begin in Spring 2015, construction to begin Spring 2016 and completion/operation by July 2017.
- Kinder Morgan projects a peak of approx. 1,200 temporary construction jobs on the project, most of which would be brought in from out-of-state including the highest-paying work such as welding, while only menial construction work will be given locally, and 28 permanent full-time positions, which would be mostly administrative based in Atlanta, GA.
- The project crosses the watersheds of 5 major rivers and freshwater coastal wetlands, which could contaminate drinking water, wells and water resources in the event of an accident.
- The pipeline is expected to cross the Revolutionary War battle site at Brier Creek in Screven County, GA, where an estimated 150 Americans died and are buried to this day.
- The pipeline’s path through the Savannah River basin endangers not only today’s natural resources, but also historical and archaeological artifacts still uncovered.
- Federal and state agencies involved in approval and oversight include US Army Corps of Engineers, SC Dept. of Natural Resources, FL Dept. of Environmental Protection and GA Dept. of Natural Resources.
- Kinder Morgan has requested an Application for Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity for the pipeline, which if approved, would allow Kinder Morgan to use private property under eminent domain.
- Kinder Morgan is currently soliciting/threatening landowners to map the final route and obtain right of way easements. Several property owners have received notice of the pipeline’s route through their property since Jan. 2015. Taking people’s private property for private profit under threat of eminent domain is NOT a public purpose.
- Kinder Morgan has refused to comment whether the oil transported by the Palmetto Pipeline will be for export or domestic consumption. Export for profit is NOT a public purpose.
- Because they cannot be fenced off, pipeline easements effectively open up private property to common trespassing like four-wheelers and illegal hunters. Even four-wheeler activity is capable of damaging or rupturing a pipeline, making this a huge risk.
- Digging, planting and other uses of the land by the landowner are prohibited once a pipeline is in place; however the landowner must continue to pay taxes on the property. Not only that, but the landowner becomes financially responsible for securing proper methods of crossing the easement (i.e. bridges, etc.) on their own property, with any vehicle, tractors etc.
- Kinder Morgan and DOT have scheduled or conducted “informational open houses,” but these meetings are NOT public hearings and violate DOT regulations. In order to have an effective say in this process, citizens must demand their right to a fair public hearing, that is: conducted by DOT with proper notice to the public, disclosure of critical information including a detailed map of the proposed route, and adequate time for public comments.
- In light of risk to private property, public safety, historical evidence and the environment, Kinder Morgan’s deficient record on safety and malfeasance, lack of need and lack of public purpose, the proposed Palmetto Pipeline should be rejected.
Push Back The Pipeline's Report and Comment to DOT
Savannah Riverkeeper, part of the Push Back The Pipeline Coalition, along with Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Satilla Riverkeeper, Center for a Sustainable Coast, the Coastal Group of the Georgia Sierra Club, One Hundred Miles, Environment Georgia and the Pipeline Safety Coalition, submitted the following document to the Georgia Department of Transportation on May 12, 2015. The comments are in opposition to the application of Palmetto Products Pipe Line LLC (Kinder Morgan) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which would grant the company the use of eminent domain to seize Georgian's private property. Outlined below in detail are our reasons for such opposition.
| push_back_the_pipeline_position_report.pdf |
